Dog For Hire

Dog for hire, willing to work for kisses, treats and ear scratches. Prefers treats over the other two but will take what I can get. Skill set includes, but is not limited to: Barking, eating, sleeping, barking, chasing squirrels, barking, looking cute, barking, hogging the bed and barking. I am fluent in stuffed monkey chasing and have a keen ability to hear someone from 100 miles away sneeze and as an added bonus, I will alert you to said sneeze. If you are seeking a cute, black and tan little dog for all of your pooch needs, look no further, I am your man. Removing the tie is not optional. No windows and no weekends-that Pete's time.

Tie One On Tuesday

I can't believe it was hot in the Pacific Northwest over the weekend. I actually broke out in a sweat! I ran down to my local all purpose store, grabbed an ice cream maker and went behind the bar to mix up an ice cream cocktail.

I love me a good banana split! How can you go wrong with bananas and booze?

Banana Split (via BarNoneDrinks.com)

1/2 oz. Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz. Banana Creme Liqueur
1/2 oz. Strawberry Schnapps
1 splash Pineapple Juice
1 scoop Ice Cream 
Combine ingredients in a blender and mix to milkshake consistency.. Top with whipped cream and a cherry…also good with a bit of chocolate liqueur drizzled over the top of the whipped cream. I think I need one of these RIGHT NOW!

 In my part of the world, we get a lot of mudslides. They are kind of freaky! It's not okay to see the ground sliding in your direction. This mudslide will just make you feel like you are sliding down, down, down...

Mudslide Milkshake
1 oz. white rum

2 oz. coffee liqueur
1 splash chocolate syrup
1 cup vanilla ice cream

Blend all ingredients together with chocolate syrup to taste. Pour into a glass and serve with a little drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. 

 

Wake up people! WAKE UP! Am I losing you in my summer ice cream fun? Well then, drink this and be WIRE-D!

 

 Tipsy Affogato

1 pint vanilla-bean ice cream
1/4 cup espresso
1 oz. hazelnut liqueur

Divide ice cream among four tumblers. Pour coffee and Frangelico or other hazelnut liqueur over ice cream in each glass and serve.

 

There ya go my little rays of sunshine! 3 yummy ice cream cocktails to get your motor running and cool you off at the same time. I'm off to go check on my homemade ice cream-I'm so happy! 

 

 

Scrappy Mom Sunday

It's Mother's Day and you have two choices, I could get all sweet and sentimental and make you cry or, in my true fashion, I could show you cute pictures of dogs with hysterical comments. Which do you choose? The cute doggy pictures with hysterical comments-wise choice. 

This is Lola, she is the mother of Jujube. I sometimes refer to the mother and daughter duo as a functional Grey Gardens. Neither one of them like that too much. 

Lola has a problem with instant gratification (as most of us do), She wants her toy now! I like to take my own mother's view point about instant gratification: Instant gratification is like peeing on yourself in the middle of winter. Sure, you are warm for a few seconds but then after that, you are wet, cold and peed on. Is that what you want? Well, that's what instant gratification is, wet, cold and peed on, now get back to work and work hard for what you want.

Lola is a dog and doesn't care about my instant gratification story.

Did I mention that she really wanted that toy?

We now have three toys buried, unburied and buried in the backyard. None of this has anything to do with Mother's Day except for my pee story. 

Winner Winner! Chicken Dinner!

(yes, that is a chicken lollipop, yes I have tasted them and yes, they are disgusting. picture via foodhoe's foraging)

Eeep! Are you just dying to know who won the fabulous clock and wreath? The winner is.....CHARITY! Yahoo! Way to go Charity!

But wait all you sad faces. Cause you guys are so awesome and entered, I couldn't let you just go away sad, so....I will be contacted each of you and sending a cute little surprise gift to you. Will it be vintage embroidery? Will it be one stationery? Who knows, but you guys deserve a little prize for being the most awesome peeps ever!

Now on to more fun stuff! I am obsessed with subway art! The wonderful ladies over at Craftster said to me, "Pam-if you are so crazy about it, how about making a video so others can share in your madness." Well, that's just what I did!

Of course you know the three minions inspired this one.


I want to finish this one with pictures of our family.


I treated this one so it can go on my garden gate.


Check out the video!

And That's The Tooth!

Okay, okay...first off, I want to apologize for being gone for a few days. I had a bum tooth which turned into a tear in my sinus (I know! I cringed too when it happened!) and then a sinus infection. Needless to say, it has put me out of commission for a few days but I am beginning to feel better and I'm on the road to recovery. Here are a few things I've noticed while being down for the count.

When you talk about noses, eyes, teeth or fingernails being hurt, people cringe. Those parts of the body should never ever get hurt.

Stitches that involve the inside of your mouth are freaky and do not dissolve in a short amount of time

Ice cream, puppy kisses,  and OMP hugs make everything better...especially ice cream

OMP scowls when you say you like ice cream better than his hugs

OMP has never had red velvet ice cream so what does he know

Betty Crocker makes a cotton candy frosting. That has nothing to do with being sick but I want some

Not being able to bend down, blow your nose or drink from a straw is a lot harder than you would imagine

I can give up my straw for two to three weeks but they will never take away my tiny umbrella or lime wedge

I love you guys so much for putting up with this silly posts and sticking around while I've been out of  it

Finally, I wrote this without the help of painkillers, maybe I should have taken them

Scrappy Dog Sunday

Blech! Being sick is no fun! I have had zero energy and just want to sleep, but as you know, with three little minions like mine, I'm lucky if I get 6 hours of sleep. Or at least I thought....


Lola has been my little hot water bottle. She has snuggled in next to me and given me kisses to make it all better.


Pete has been security. He guards me to make sure no monsters get me while I'm napping.


And Jujube, well....jujube is teaching me how to nap.


I have the best little pups in the whole world!

You Know You Want It

It may be the drugs talking or it may be that I feel bad about not blogging for a few days, but whatever the case is, I'm having a giveaway. Oh, you heard me right...a giveaway. The best part about this, it's not just any crappy giveaway, I am giving you a chance to own some embroidery and crafty goodness, made by me! I know, I am nice!

Here's what you get if you win! The cutest embroidered clock ever and it's stitched by me! You need this in your house! It is from a vintage pattern and yes, the clock does work.

But wait, that's not all...I will throw in this totally awesome wreath, just cause I like you so much. You're welcome!



Now, here's your part of the bargain-to enter, just leave a comment, include your email so I can get in touch with you. If you want TWO chances to win, go over to my Facebook page and follow me, then come back here and let me know. What? You want one more chance to win, okay! For THREE chances to win, mention this on your blog, facebook, twitter or any other social media and leave a comment telling me you did.

The contest ends next Thursday, May 10th. Now get out there and enter!

Tie One On Tuesday

GDKFEJREKE! That's me trying to talk with gauze in my mouth from my toothache and dentist appointment. It's a good thing that I can still type.

Poor OMP! He is stuck taking care of me while my bum tooth is on the mend. While I take antibiotics, he needs a drinky drink.

Probably the easiest for OMP to fix while catering to my every whim is a Dark and Stormy. He loves this cocktail and it can be whipped up in snap or in-between me snapping my fingers.


Dark and Stormy
2 oz dark rum (I've seen it made with spiced rum too)
3 oz ginger beer (not ale, ginger beer!)
lime wedge
Mix in a glass with ice and garnish with lime. Easy peasy!


Awww, bummer! We don't have ginger beer in the house. Let's see what else OMP can whip up to keep him happy. OMP loves a Sidecar and they are even easier than a Dark and Stormy.

Sidecar
1 ½ oz  cognac
¾ oz Cointreau
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
Combine all in a shaker with ice, Shake and serve in a chilled martini glass.

Well, I am being told to get back to bed and no hot toddy for me. Boo on that! I guess I'll snuggle back in with a good trashy novel, a nice cup of tea and three little pups. A big hug and smooch to OMP for taking care of me. He's a good man with a cute butt!

Feel Good Friday!

via amazing inspirational quotes

Made it to Friday! Gonna do some rump shaking! Oh yeah, dancing my bootie off!

Mr. Foot (Biggie as his friends know him) does not do any kind of rump shaking. He is much too sophisticated for that. I can tell he is a gentleman because of his bowtie and pipe.  Mistress T has some mad stitching skills! 

Remember last year when I bought some sidewalk chalk? Do you remember the "no poop" zone I made for Pete? Well this year I am going to fancy up the "no poop" zone with a chalk spirograph. You're dying, right? I know, I did too.

Who needs a picture of a cute animal? BABY JACK RUSSELL!

Okay, I gave you Big Foot, a spirograph and a puppy, what more do you want? Well, I'll take two of these..just kidding OMP (kinda, no...I'm kidding...kinda)

 Alright, I have to go give OMP kisses for the cowboy picture. I hope everyone has a rip roaring, bronco riding, rump shaking good weekend! Later taters and gators!

Live out your imagination, not your history.

~Steven R. Covey

Crafty McCraft-A-Lot

Stitchy, stitchy, stitchy! I have been stitching like a crazy lady! I am in a tea towel swap with some of my awesome friends. I am so excited to have my towel crisscross around the world and be stitched on by some of the greatest fiber artist out there. Seriously, you guys! I'm dying!

I stitched this up for my friend Tara and now her towel is on its way to New Zealand. The towel travels better than I do!



Remember the cross stitch I did for my friend AlwaysInspired? The alphabet gnomes? Her father-in-law made this beautiful frame. It makes me so happy that I was able to stitch this for her and to be a part of a family heirloom



I'm not just stitching things up, here are some close-ups of my Elmer's projects for the latest Craftster video. These mousetrap paperholders are so easy to make! I took of the hook on the trap, painted them and then added a few little doodads. Super duper cute and easy!

My big project for Elmer's was this clothespin wreath. The circle is an embroidery hoop and I cut a piece of cardboard in a circle, about an inch bigger than the hoop. I glued the circle to the hoop. I covered the clothespin and the hoop with decorative (washi) tape. The best part is I have my hoop already made and I can change out the clothespin as I see fit or as the seasons change. I have a cute red and white stripe tape that would look great for Christmas.

Whew! I have been busy and that's just what I've made in the past couple of weeks! I can't wait to show you what I am doing for the next Craftster video! I better get back to the craft cave aka, the couch. What? Don't judge!

Meh...

via http://tesaen.tumblr.com/

Do you ever have those days that are just kind of "meh?" You know, those days where nothing is really wrong but you are just kind of "meh." I was having one but I knew I had to work myself out of it. I think it started with a pity party I was having. I was thinking about how I was when I was younger. I was cuter, I didn't have a care in the world...which led me to think about being creative and how, when I work really hard on something, I think it's awesome and people are less than impressed. This then led me to feeling sorry for myself and questioning  my creative juices, my looks, my life and then I just sat down in tears and whined, "meh."

I knew I had to get out of this funk. I allowed myself a little whining,  had some cake at my pity party and then picked my my presents and began to unwrap them. I first started with my looks.

I told myself, yes, I am not the same as I was 10 or 20 years ago. I will never be that person again. I now dye my hair a little more, I have a few more pounds on me and I now see laugh lines around my eyes. All of these things remind me of the life I have led and the laughter I have shared with friends. I will never be that 20 year old, staying up until the sun comes up. I now get up at that hour and take care of a furry family (OMP included). I will never be the pretty young girl again but I am an experienced woman. I don't get the looks I used to but you know what, I have now learned that my self worth is not determined by the attention of another. I am comfortable and confident in my skin and with myself and although I won't win any beauty contests, I'm happy with who I see in the mirror.

I decided to tackle my feeling of inadequacy in the creative department. Here's the deal. I make cutesy stuff and that will never change. Some people just aren't into cute stuff and that's okay. I don't like everything I see either. I looked at a piece I did recently and the lines were crooked-my first thought was to throw it out the window and start over. I wondered how people could do this project so easily while I couldn't even cut a stupid straight line. UGH! I just wanted to cry but I still put it out there. Even though my lines are a little off, I am still trying stuff. I'm still creating. I may fail at a few things or be a little off but I'm trying.

Last, I looked at my life as a whole. This is a big challenge because it is so easy to find the fault and the "things I don't have" instead of focusing on the things I do have. I do have a loving caring wonderful husband, I do have three little dogs that make me smile and giggle, I do have a beautiful house and good friends. I do have the ability to communicate, an education, my health. I have so much to be thankful for and yet, I find myself slipping into sadness and focusing on the negative. I finally decided to just breathe, to just feel and be thankful and allow myself to be in bliss

After reassessing my attitude and my "meh," I started feeling better. Instead of focusing on everything that I perceive is wrong with my life, I decided to embrace it.  My body has carried me through a lot of amazing adventures, my creativity allows me to express how I want to see the world and my life is pretty blessed.

What do you do to get out of your funk and remind yourself of the good in your life?  Do you allow it to weigh you down or do you rise above?

(See what happens when I don't write for two days?)

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Today is Earth Day! Yahoo! Earth! The pups are having a great time celebrating Earth Day.


Let's plant a garden!



Compost is your friend, even if it is stinky! You can make your own from scraps of veggies and fruits and clippings (just no seeds!)


MOM! You didn't smash the yard debris down enough! Let us help you.



After the garden is planted, it's time to relax in the sun. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Saving the Earth is hard work! We'll just play ball and let mom and dad pull the weeds. BTW, mom, you missed a spot.

Happy Earth Day everyone! Get out there and do some planting! Be kind to nature and love one another or else Lola is coming after you.

Salivating Saturday

For some reason, I have a love for food that isn't pretty but is dang good. Chicken fried steak-ugly as sin but I can not resist it. Gooey cake-not the prettiest but it is delish! So, when I was cruising Pinterest and found this recipe, I knew it fell into the ugly food, yummy in my tummy category.

Lime Cilantro Chicken is easy to make, can be frozen for future use and did I mention that it is SOOOOOO good. The recipe I used was from the What's Cooking Chicago blog (her recipe was adapted from the Food Network). I did make one minor change but it was only because I didn't have the ingredient on hand.

Lime Cilantro Chicken 
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves (do not include stems)
2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sliced, toasted almonds
3 tablespoons chopped, fresh garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup water
In your  blender, mix together the cilantro, olive oil, almonds, garlic, lime juice,Parmesan cheese, salt and water on low speed until mixed thoroughly

For the chicken
cooking spray
2-3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup cilantro lime pesto
 Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder. In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray, saute chicken over medium high heat and cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the pan and put into a bowl. Toss cooked, seasoned chicken with the pesto.

We made tacos with them, using corn tortillas but I think this would be so good on a salad maybe with some blueberries or strawberries on top.

Now, for the freezing part. Just make all of this ahead of time and put into a freezer bag. You don't have to worry about the pesto because there isn't oil in it. It's either water, like I used, or chicken broth, like the original recipe.

There ya go!  The chicken may not be the prettiest, in fact, it kind of looks like a leprechaun's diaper exploded, but trust me-it is some of the best chicken you will ever have and against red and yellow peppers or a mixed green salad, it is beautiful!

Feel Good Friday!

Everyone's Friday should be filled with tutus, good friends, yummy food and a side of OMP. Mama is tired! See you guys tomorrow for more awesomeness. I promise.

Good Night!

Elmer's Master Craftsters

 
I recently had the opportunity to work with Elmer's and Xacto on a project for Craftster.org. I got to work with some very cool products and some seriously amazing crafty peeps.

First up is Cackle. Holy moly! She is killing me with such beautiful projects. Her paper cutting project in breathtaking.

I'm sure you have seen jillybeans around the internet. Her work has been featured in many crafty blogs.These pumps are off the hook crazy!

Oh my goodness! LimeRiot not only is just about the sweetest and cutest girl in the whole world but she is crazy talented. Seriously, can I be her when I grow up? Her driftwood houses are so stinking cute.

Okay, you need to run, not walk over to OopsICraftMyPants! I LOVE her! LOVE! I need this monster. Help me Rhonda, it's adorable.

Stifflersmom and I go way back. Her sense of style and puppy dogs is impeccable. Did I mention she can craft the pants off of anyone. Not that I have seen this happen, but I've heard rumors. These flying pigs would look great in my kitchen.

Last but not least, it's me and my silly video!


Make sure you check out all the other projects on the Master Crafster Elmer's and Xacto board. You will be blown away!

Oh! My Tummy!

At home with OMP.....

Me: The five year old part of my brain says that eating all the taffy is a good idea. The forty-one year old part of my stomach says not so much.

OMP: Which did you listen to?

Me: Which do you think?

OMP: I'll get the Pepto.

Ohhh....it's gonna be a long night. 

Tie One On Tuesday

April 17th, tax day, a day for tears in your beer or popping the cork on a bottle of champagne.

No one wants to see the tax man coming to their door, the tax man cocktail on the other hand...I'll take two!

The Tax Man
2 oz. gin
3/4 oz. dry vermouth
3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
Juice from half an orange
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients and shake with ice cubes.
Strain into a chilled glass

Ouch! You just found out that you owe the government 20 thousand dollars in back taxes? That is a bitter pill to swallow.

The Bitter Pill 
 1 1/2 oz. aged rum
1/2 oz. Fernet-Branca
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1/2 oz. fresh egg white
Ice cubes
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass.
 If you are scared of the egg factor, you can substitute with soy milk.

Look at you! Got money back on your taxes! Well then, you are buying! You big ol' money maker!

The Money Maker
1/2 ounces pear-flavored vodka,
1/2 ounce green melon liqueur
 juice of 1/2 lemon
Mix with ice in shaker, serve in chilled martini glass.

There ya go my little dividends! A few drinks to lighten the blow or celebrate the extra cash.  Here's to a pain free tax day!

Cinnamon Roll Belgium Waffles, You're Welcome!

Did you know that I never sleep past 6am. I haven't slept past 6 in years. I blame the dogs. They get me up and once that happens, I can't go back to sleep. So, I'm up at 6am on the weekend, playing on the computer, drinking a cup of tea and conversing with my east coast friends. I also catch up on Pinterst in order to figure out what I'm gonna make for dinner that weekend.

This morning, I decided to treat OMP to some cinnamon roll Belgium waffles from a recipe I found on the Pinterst from the blog A Hens Nest. Now, this recipe is super duper complicated so pay attention!

1. Get out your Belgium waffle maker, spray it with cooking spray (like Pam...not like me, the cooking spray Pam)

2. Go to the fridge and get out your can of cinnamon rolls.

3. Place the cinnamon rolls in your waffle maker. Close the lid and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Until they are golden brown

4. Drizzle icing onto the waffles

5. Give to your sweetie and let the praise begin. Don't forget to eat some too!

These waffles are SUPER sweet. I would drizzle the icing instead of putting it on like you would a regular cinnamon roll.  You can also freeze them (without the icing) and warm them up when you want a little treat.

Enjoy!

Mercury Glass

I have been dying to make mercury glass. I think it's just about the coolest thing ever!

For the project I needed:
Mirror glass spray paint (I found it at Michaels and it was kind of expensive 11.99)
A spray bottle with 1 part water, 1 part vinegar
Glass to spray paint
tissue

The directions I found online said to paint the inside of the jar. I did that and got absolutely no results. I followed the directions on the spray paint but nothing worked so I spray painted the outside and it was perfect! I sprayed 5 layers.

Between each layer, I waited about 5 minutes

Once all my layers were on, I took the vinegar/water mixture and sprayed the jar.

Wait about 20 seconds and then rub to distress with a paper towel or a tissue. Basically you are popping the water bubbles.

The final result! I now want to change everything into mercury glass! I love that this photo got bombed by OMP and a tiki.

A Little Stitchy Goodness

I have been a stitching machine lately! I started this piece earlier this year and I just finished the top part. I have moved on to the bottom and hope to have it done by the end of April. As she is right now, her body is a foot long and a foot and a half wide. I believe she is going to be close to two a half feet to three feet long!



After getting permission from Sunny Buick (who is AWESOME!) I stitched this up for my good friend Digital Misfit.


Yep, that's my stitchy world right now. A little cross stitch, a little embroidery and a whole lot of love!